Cloud-based wireless communication system and method

ABSTRACT

A server may receive information from a computer, store the information in a database at the server, determine a reader device that is configured to receive and/or process credential information and/or a unique identifier and to receive the information based on an analysis of the information, select one or more mobile devices to deliver the information to the reader, and transmit data to the one or more mobile devices where the data includes at least a portion of the information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/684,128 filed on Aug. 16, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various devices may be employed for providing information, such as updated information, to a reader device. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique wireless communication system and method. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for a wireless communication system. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system according to one form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process for communicating with a reader device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the system 100 is an access control system. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the system 100 may be directed to a payment system, a transit system, or any other system that utilizes a credential or a unique identifier. The system 100 generally includes a server or credential management device 102, a mobile device 104, a computer or computing device 106, and a reader device 108. The server 102 may provide a credential management service which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a cloud application 110. The credential management service, via the cloud application 110, may generally maintain a database 111 of access control information, alarm information, and/or audit history information for various assets. It is contemplated that the type of data stored in the database 111 may vary depending on the type of system (e.g., access control system, payment system, transit system, etc.). The server 102 may include multiple servers. Additionally, the server 102 may communicate with the mobile device 104 and/or the computer 106 via the Internet.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 104 is a mobile phone such as, for example, a cell phone or smartphone. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the mobile device 104 may be a tablet computer, a smartcard, or any or any other mobile computing or communication device that can store data and communicate with the reader device 108. It is also contemplated that the computer 106 may be any type of computing device such as, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone), and/or other suitable computing devices know to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the reader device 108 is associated with an electronic lock and is configured to communicate with the mobile device 104. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the reader device 108 may be any other type of device configured to communicate with the mobile device 104 and receive and/or process credential information or a unique identifier.

In some embodiments, the system 100 utilizes one or more mobile devices 104 as a transport or delivery mechanism for delivering information (e.g., access privileges) to the reader device 108 and/or for receiving alarm information and/or audit history feedback from the reader device 108. The mobile device 104 may include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver configured to communicate with a NFC transceiver that is part of the reader device 108. It is contemplated that the mobile device 104 and the reader device 108 may communicate via a protocol other than NFC such as, for example, Bluetooth including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or any other appropriate communication protocol. The reader device 108 may be integrated into an electronic lock or be associated with an electronic lock. Other types of suitable reader devices 108 are also contemplated as would occur to those skilled in the art.

The reader devices 108 (e.g., electronic locks) may be incorporated into doors or other access restriction structures or devices. The mobile device 104 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the cloud application 110 in the server 102 via an Internet connection, which may utilize, for example, a cellular data network or other types of wireless communication networks. The mobile device 104 includes a memory for storing viral data 112 such as, for example, access control information, alarm information, and/or audit histories. The mobile device 104 may be configured to transmit feedback data in real-time back to the server 102 including the cloud application 110. The mobile device 104 is configured to implement “viral data” which includes data that does not pertain to a particular user, but generally pertains to several users. Furthermore, the user is generally unaware that the user is delivering and/or receiving viral data.

The computer 106 may be used to create, update, or otherwise modify access information 114 stored at the server 102. Generally, when the server 102 receives access information 114 from the computer 106 to be transmitted to a particular reader device 108, the server 102 (via the cloud application 110) transmits the access information in the form of viral data 112 to some or all of the mobile devices 104 of users who may access privileges to the reader device 108 that is to be updated. For example, the server 102 (via the cloud application 110) may transmit the new or updated data to only the mobile devices 104 that interact with the particular reader device 108 most frequently. As another example, the viral data 112 for the reader device 108 may be delivered to each user (i.e., via mobile devices 104) who has immediate access to that reader device 108 so that the next user to approach the reader device 108 will deliver that viral data 112 to the particular reader device 108. It is contemplated that the viral data 112 may also include firmware updates and/or activation information for the reader device 108.

In one embodiment, when the viral data 112 is delivered by the mobile device 104, the mobile device 104 may report back to the server 102 to verify that the viral data 112 was successfully transferred. Other mobile devices 104 may then be updated by the server 102 to remove that particular update (i.e., delete the viral data 112). It is contemplated that this viral data updating technique may be used with any number of doors and/or reader devices 108.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 104 may receive alarm information and/or audit histories/trails in the form of viral data 112 from a particular reader device 108 immediately whenever someone visits the reader device 108 and/or door. It is contemplated that to ensure the viral data 112 is successfully delivered to the server 102, the viral data 112 may be transmitted to multiple mobile devices 104 until the reader device 108 receives an update and/or notification that the latest alarm information and/or audit histories/trails were received at the server 102. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the viral data 112 from the reader device 108 may be delivered to the server 102 immediately upon receipt. The server 102 may store the received alarms and/or audit trails in the database 111. A user may utilize the computer 106 to access and/or retrieve the alarms and/or audit trails in the database 111.

Generally, the memory of the mobile device 104 stores the viral data 112 (e.g., access privileges, alarms, and/or audit history data) so that the viral data 112 can be transported from the reader device 108 to the server 102 via the mobile device 104. Each credential holder (i.e., mobile device 104) has virtually unlimited memory for viral data 112 such as, for example, access privileges, alarm information, audit history data, firmware updates, and/or any other data to be shared between the server 102 and the reader 108. In one embodiment, the viral data 112 is transmitted from the reader device 108 to the server 102 immediately, which provides near real-time performance.

The use of viral data 112 in the system 100 may provide control of off-line reader devices 108 (e.g., electronic locks) and may eliminate the need to tour the reader devices 108 to provide updates to the reader devices 108 or gather alarms and/or audit histories from the reader devices 108.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a computing device 200. The computing device 200 is one example of a server, a mobile device, a computer, and/or a reader device configuration that may be utilized in connection with the server 102, the mobile device 104, the computer 106, and/or the reader device 108 shown FIG. 1. The computing device 200 includes a processing device 202, an input/output device 204, memory 206, and operating logic 208. Furthermore, computing device 200 communicates with one or more external devices 210.

The input/output device 204 allows the computing device 200 to communicate with the external device 210. For example, the input/output device 204 may be a transceiver, a network adapter, a network card, an interface, or a communication port (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of communication port or interface). The input/output device 204 may be include hardware, software, and/or firmware. It is also contemplated that the input/output device 204 may include more than one of these adapters, cards, or ports.

The external device 210 may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the computing device 200. For example, the external device 210 may be a mobile device, a reader device, other electronic equipment, a handheld computer, a diagnostic tool, a controller, a computer, a server, a processing system, a printer, a display, an alarm, an illuminated indicator such as a status indicator, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch screen display. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the external device 210 may be integrated into the computing device 200. It is further contemplated that there may be more than one external device in communication with the computing device 200.

Processing device 202 can be a programmable type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or any combination thereof. The processing device 202 may further include multiple processors, Arithmetic-Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or the like. Processing devices 202 with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing. Processing device 202 may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the depicted form, processing device 202 is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and processes data in accordance with operating logic 208, as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory 206. Alternatively or additionally, the operating logic 208 for the processing device 202 is at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. The processing device 202 may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from the input/output device 204 or elsewhere, and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination of both.

Memory 206 may be of one or more types, such as a solid-state variety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, memory 206 can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of these types, and some or all of memory 206 can be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, or the like. Additionally, memory 206 can store data that is manipulated by the operating logic 208 of the processing device 202, such as data representative of signals received from and/or sent to input/output device 204 in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining operating logic 208, just to name one example. As shown in FIG. 2, memory 206 may be included with the processing device 202 and/or coupled to the processing device 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process 300 for updating information in a reader device. Operations illustrated for all of the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and operations may be combined/divided and added/removed as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

Process 300 begins at operation 302 in which a user may use the computer 106 to create, update, and/or modify access control information 114 that is transmitted and/or stored at the server 102. The server 102 may store the access control information 114 in the database 111.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 302 to operation 304. At operation 304, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, determines which reader device 108 should receive new or updated information or data. The determination may be based on the content of the access control information 114 that is to be delivered to a reader device 108. For example, the information 114 may include access rights for a particular reader device 108. It is contemplated that more than one reader device 108 may receive the information 114, for example, in situations where several doors in a building have overlapping user access lights.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 304 to operation 306. At operation 306, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, determines which mobile devices 104 should be used to virally transfer the information 114 from the server 102 to the reader device 108. The server 102, via the cloud application 110, may determine the targeted mobile devices 104 based on the access rights associated with each mobile device 104. For example, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, may transmit the information 114 in the form of viral data 112 to some or all of the mobile devices 104 of users who have access privileges to the reader device 108 (and the associated door) that is to receive the information 114. For example, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, may transmit the viral data 112 to only the mobile devices 104 that interact with the particular reader device 108 most frequently. As another example, the viral data 112 for the reader device 108 may be delivered to each mobile device 104 that has access to the particular reader device 108 immediately so that the next mobile device 104 to interact with the particular reader device 108 will deliver that viral data 112 to the reader device 108 as soon as possible.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 306 to operation 308. At operation 308, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, transmits at least a portion of the information 114 in the form of viral data 112 to one or more of the mobile devices 104. The server 102 and the mobile devices 104 may communicate over an Internet connection. However, it is contemplated that other communication protocols and/or methods may be used in place of or in addition to the Internet connection.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 308 to operation 310. At operation 310, one of the mobile devices 104 may deliver the viral data 112 to the reader device 108. For example, a user of the mobile device 104 may be attempting to access a secured area using the NFC transceiver in the mobile device 104. Without the user's knowledge, the mobile device 104 may transfer a credential and/or other data for the access request, but the mobile device 104 will also transfer the viral data 112 to the reader device 108. The reader device 108 will then store the viral data 112 in the appropriate location in memory and utilize the viral data 112.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 310 to operation 312. At operation 312, the reader device 108 may send various data to the mobile device 104. For example, the reader device 108 may send a confirmation that the viral data 112 was successfully stored and/or installed in the reader device 108. As another example, the reader device 108 may transmit alarms and/or audit information to the mobile device 104. It is contemplated that the reader device 108 may transfer alarm information and/or audit information in the form of viral data 112 to one or more mobile devices 104 independent of receiving new and/or updated information from the server 102.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 312 to operation 314. At operation 314, the mobile device 104 transfers the viral data 112 that the mobile device 104 received from the reader device 108 to the server 102. The server 102 and the mobile device 104 may communicate via an Internet connection. If the viral data 112 received from the mobile device 104 is a confirmation of a successful update, the server 102, via the cloud application 110, may notify the computer 106 and/or send a command to the other mobile devices 104 that also received the viral data 112 to delete the viral data 112 since the reader device 108 has already been updated successfully. If the viral data 112 constitutes alarm information and/or audit histories, the server 102 may store the alarm information and/or audit histories in the database 111.

Process 300 then proceeds from operation 314 to operation 316. At operation 316, the computer 106 may download the alarm information and/or audit histories from the database 111 at the server 102.

The various aspects of the process 300 in the present application may be implemented in the operating logic 208 as operations by software, hardware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, or any combination thereof, or at least partially performed by a user or operator. In certain embodiments, operations represent software elements as a computer program encoded on a computer readable medium, wherein the server 102, the mobile device 104, the computer 106, and/or the reader device 108 performs the described operations when executing the computer program.

One aspect of the present application may include a method, comprising: receiving information at a server; storing the information in a database at the server; determining a reader device that is to receive the information based on an analysis of the information; selecting one or more mobile devices to deliver the information to the reader device; and transmitting viral data to the one or more mobile devices, wherein the viral data includes at least a portion of the information.

Features of the aspect of the present application may include: transmitting the viral data to the reader device from one of the mobile devices; wherein the mobile device and reader device communicate via near field communication; transmitting audit information from the reader device to one of the mobile devices; receiving the audit information at the server from one of the mobile devices; and storing the audit information in the database at the server; downloading at least a portion of the audit information from the database at the server via a computer; wherein the selecting is based on which mobile devices have access to the reader device; receiving a notification message at the server from the one mobile device, wherein the notification message indicates the reader device was successfully updated; and transmitting a command from the server to all of the other mobile devices to delete the viral data; wherein the information comprises updated access rights for the reader device; wherein the viral data includes a firmware update for the reader device.

Another aspect of the present application may include a system, comprising: a server configured to provide a cloud service; one or more mobile devices; and a reader device; and wherein the server is configured to: receive information and store the information in a database at the server, determine the reader device that is to receive the information based on an analysis of the information, select one or more mobile devices to deliver the information to the reader device, and transmit viral data to the one or more mobile devices, wherein the viral data includes at least a portion of the information, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive the viral data from the server and transmit the viral data to the reader device; and wherein the reader device is configured to receive the viral data from the mobile device.

Features of the aspect of the present application may include: wherein the one or more mobile devices and the reader device communicate via near field communication; wherein the system is at least one of an access control system, a payment system, and a transit system; wherein the reader device is further configured to transmit audit information to one of the mobile devices, wherein the server is further configured to receive the audit information from one of the mobile devices, and wherein the server is further configured to store the audit information in the database at the server; a computer configured to download at least a portion of the audit information from the database at the server.

Yet another aspect of the present application may include an apparatus, comprising: a server configured to receive information, store the information in a database at the server, determine a reader device that is to receive the information based on an analysis of the information, select one or more mobile devices to deliver the information to the reader device, and transmit viral data to the one or more mobile devices, wherein the viral data includes at least a portion of the information.

Features of the present application may include: wherein the server is further configured to: host audit information for retrieval by a computer; wherein the server is further configured to: receive a notification message from one of the mobile devices, wherein the notification message indicates the reader device was successfully updated; and transmit a command to at least one other of the mobile devices to delete the viral data; wherein the information comprises updated access rights for the reader device; wherein the viral data includes a firmware update for the reader device; wherein the server is configured to select the one or more mobile devices based on which mobile devices have access to the reader device.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected.

It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A computer implemented method for updating a reader device with access control information, comprising: determining a reader device that is to receive the access control information based on an analysis of the access control information; transmitting, to a first plurality of mobile devices having access rights to the reader device, the access control information and a firmware update for the reader device, wherein the firmware update is stored in memory of each mobile device of the first plurality of mobile devices; receiving, by the reader device, the firmware update from a first mobile device of the first plurality of mobile devices; transmitting, by the reader device to the first mobile device, a confirmation that the firmware update of the reader device was successful; receiving, from the first mobile device, a notification message indicating that the firmware update of the reader device was successful; and in response to receiving the notification message, transmitting, to the first plurality of mobile devices, a command to delete the firmware update.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first plurality of mobile devices is a subset of a second plurality of mobile devices having access rights to the reader device.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising selecting the first plurality of mobile devices from the second plurality of mobile devices.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein selecting the first plurality of mobile devices from the second plurality of mobile devices comprises selecting the first plurality of mobile devices from the second plurality of mobile devices based upon a frequency of interaction with the reader device.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein selecting the first plurality of mobile devices from the second plurality of mobile devices based upon a frequency of interaction with the reader device comprises selecting as the first plurality of mobile devices at least two mobile devices that interact with the reader device more frequently than other mobile devices of the second plurality of mobile devices.
 26. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting, by the reader device and independently of the access control information and the firmware update, audit information from the reader device to one or more of the second plurality of mobile devices.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: receiving, by the reader device, a notification that the audit information has been received at a server; and ceasing transmission of the audit information in response to receiving the notification.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the reader device is an electronic lock.
 29. A method of operating an access control system comprising an electronic lock, a server, and a plurality of mobile devices having access rights to the electronic lock, wherein the plurality of mobile devices comprises a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the method comprising: receiving, by each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, a firmware update for the reader device, wherein each mobile device stores the firmware update for the reader device in memory of the mobile device; in response to the first mobile device interacting with the electronic lock, transmitting the firmware update from the first mobile device to the electronic lock; receiving, by the first mobile device and from the electronic lock, a confirmation that the firmware update was successful; transmitting, by the first mobile device to the server, a notification message indicating that the firmware update of the reader device was successful; and receiving, by the second mobile device, a command to delete the firmware update from memory.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first mobile device interacts with the electronic lock prior to the second mobile device interacting with the electronic lock.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the command is transmitted by the server in response to receiving the notification message.
 32. The method of claim 29, further comprising transmitting the command by the server in response to receiving the notification message.
 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising receiving, by the first mobile device, the command to delete the firmware update from memory.
 34. The method of claim 29, further comprising transmitting, by the electronic lock and in response to the second mobile device interacting with the electronic lock, audit information to the second mobile device.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the plurality of mobile devices further includes a third mobile device, the method further comprising: selecting the first mobile device and the second mobile device from the plurality of mobile devices based upon frequencies with which the plurality of mobile devices interact with the electronic lock, and wherein the third mobile device interacts with the electronic lock less frequently than each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device; and by the server, selectively transmitting the firmware update to the first mobile device and the second mobile device and not to the third mobile device.
 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the second mobile device interacts with the electronic lock prior to receiving the command to delete the firmware from memory, and transmits the firmware update to the electronic lock upon interacting with the electronic lock.
 37. The method of claim 29, wherein the firmware update does not pertain to a particular mobile device.
 38. The method of claim 29, wherein the first mobile device receives the firmware update via a first wireless communication protocol and transmits the firmware update to the electronic lock via a second wireless communication protocol different from the first wireless communication protocol.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the second wireless communication protocol is a near field communication protocol.
 40. The method of claim 29, further comprising transmitting audit information from the electronic lock to each mobile device that interacts with the electronic lock until the electronic lock receives a notification that the audit information was received at the server. 